Community airs range of views
on University Weekend events
May 11, 1998

Various sectors of the University community have been airing
their views on University Weekend, in the aftermath of events
that led to 87 arrests.

A forum Monday night, organized by the Undergraduate Student
Government, was attended by more than 100 people, mostly students.
By a show of hands, about half said they were at events that
occurred during University Weekend. Chancellor Mark A. Emmert,
Vicky Triponey, vice chancellor for student affairs, and Thomas
Q. Callahan, associate vice president for institutional advancement,
also attended the forum.

The forum focused on the events of Saturday night, when a crowd
estimated at about 2,000 people gathered in Farmer Brown's Lot,
adjacent to X-Lot.

The forum began with a video, presented by Robert Hudd, chief
of police and director of public safety, and Major Ronald Blicher.
They reminded the audience that the police officers were not
there by choice but because their job required them to be there,
and that many were injured by the rocks and bottles that were
thrown.

Student speakers presented a variety of views, running the gamut
from criticizing the police and blaming the administration, to
taking fellow students to task for the turn of events during
the weekend.

"Spring Weekend was a series of regrettable events," said Eric
Newton. "We are quick to be proud of our academic achievements
and even our athletic achievements, but at this point we have
to be embarrassed for our actions."

The potential for misunderstanding was demonstrated at the forum
when - at the request of USG - the police left after showing
the video, so that students would be able to speak freely. A
few students criticized them for not being present to hear their
views.

Emmert picked up on the theme of differing perspectives. "Part
of this is in the eye of the beholder," he said. "Some students
see police intimidation, but if you're one of 60 officers facing
2,000 people ... those are unusual odds for intimidation."

After one speaker criticized the administration for organizing
events that "nobody wanted," Alyssa Benedict reminded the audience
that USG and SUBOG planned the University-sponsored events. "Some
students wanted them," she said.

"Communication between students and police and the administration
has been happening, it just hasn't been broad enough obviously,"
she said.

She urged students to be proactive, adding that "throwing bottles
at the cops" is not the way to be heard.

Another speaker said he had chosen not to be involved with USG
or SUBOG. He said that students outside those channels of communication
needed more information about why University Weekend was changed.
"If you want to change something, maybe educate us a little,"
he said.

Liz Ehrhardt, who became president of USG on the Wednesday before
University Weekend, said she hoped to defuse the tension. She
invited students to take any complaints to the USG office, "just
so that anger doesn't become part of the tradition."

The forum ended with a video shot by students for UCTV that showed
the overturned car and the surrounding group of young people
from close range. "It does not make us look good," said John
Policelli, who produced the video.

"What you've seen is not pretty," said Jayson Hodge, a former
USG officer who introduced the speakers. "Don't wait until next
year to get involved."

The Trustee-Administration-Faculty-Student Committee (TAFS) convened
Thursday at the Bishop Center to discuss the history of University
Weekend and what went wrong with the planned events this year,
and to voice their views about the future of the event.

President Philip Austin said, "I want to send a very strong message
that inappropriate behavior, when caught, will be subjected to
due process.

Students will be able to make their cases in defense and then
justice will be dispensed. Our preoccupation is the safety of
our community."

Austin has asked Chancellor Emmert to assemble a task force on
University Weekend. During the meeting, Peter Halvorson, chair
of the TAFS committee, suggested that the topic be the focus
of a Metanoia - day of reflection - in the fall. The task force
will consider the proposal, as part of a report to be presented
to the board at its meeting in September.

Louise Bailey, chair of the student life committee of the Board
of Trustees, said "I can assure you that the Board of Trustees
will work with all of you."

The Senate Executive Committee has drafted a position statement
that will be presented to the University Senate for discussion
at its meeting today, May 11. The statement supports the administration
and students for their planning efforts, deplores the violence
that occurred, and announces the committee's intention to convene
a meeting of faculty, administration, staff, students and public
safety personnel for a dialogue on how to foster a sense of community.